Pharmacy helped

Having just survived an acute heart attack and several surgeries, this is the first chance I've had to inform the community that we have a bona fide hero in our town, Tony Cassar and the staff of Kanan Pharmacy.

On Nov. 18, 2008, I wasn't feeling right. I called over to Kanan Pharmacy to ask if they could tell if I was having a horrendous anxiety attack (the holidays were around the corner), or a heart attack. Like most women who experience heart attacks, this was nothing like you see in the movies.

Sarah Varley answered the phone and immediately threw it to Tony, who then told me to call 911, or he would if I was unable to. I did so, and, unbeknownst to me, while I was in an incoherent state waiting for the paramedics, Tony phoned my physician and informed him of the situation. My doctor then called my house and spoke directly to the paramedics, who by then had arrived on the scene, and the rest is history.

I truly believe I am here today because of the care, fast work, and knowledge of the Kanan staff. They took it in stride and my thank yous were greeted with hugs all around, and "no big deal."

So neighbors, remember, this local pharmacy may not be as large as its monolith neighbors, but they treat their customers as patients and their patients as friends, and I for one am grateful to call them all friends. Lynn Margolis Oak Park